Interview with Clinton Evans on Starting a Window Tinters Union Professional Association

August 18, 2025 at 8:46 pm, No comments

Conducted by a Local News Station Reporter on August 18, 2025, at 08:50 PM EDT

Introduction

Reporter: Good evening, Clinton. Thank you for joining us today to discuss your initiative to start a window tinters union. Can you start by telling us about the purpose and benefits you envision for this union?

Clinton Evans: Good evening! The main purpose is to bring window tinters together to improve wages, secure health insurance, standardize training, negotiate better supplier deals, and push for favorable regulations. The benefits include collective bargaining power, shared resources like group health plans, professional growth, and a unified voice to shape industry standards. It’s about giving tinters the support they deserve.

Research and Legal Considerations

Reporter: That sounds promising. How have you researched the industry, and what legal steps are you taking to ensure this union complies with regulations?

Clinton Evans: I’ve looked into the demand by talking to tinters across the region—many earn around $42,751 a year or $21 an hour and lack benefits, which shows a clear need. Legally, I’m researching the National Labor Relations Act for employees, but since many tinters are independent contractors, a professional association might be the way to go. I’m consulting the National Labor Relations Board and a labor attorney to navigate eligibility and ensure we comply with state licensing requirements, like contractor licenses where needed.

Building Support

Reporter: How are you gauging interest and building a team to lead this effort?

Clinton Evans: I’ve been connecting with tinters through forums like TintDude and social media groups like Window Tinting Business on Facebook. I’ve done informal surveys to pinpoint issues like high material costs or lack of insurance. Right now, I’m forming a steering committee of 5–10 dedicated tinters to shape our mission and structure—there’s real interest, especially after seeing ideas like $50 monthly dues to fund benefits on TintDude.

Mission and Structure

Reporter: What goals are you setting, and how will you structure this union or association?

Clinton Evans: Our goals include negotiating discounts with suppliers like Tint Manufactures, creating a certification program for quality, and advocating for consistent tinting laws across states. We’re deciding between a labor union for employees or a trade association for contractors, depending on our members’ status. We’re drafting bylaws now, outlining dues—maybe $50 a month as suggested online—voting, and leadership roles to keep it organized.

Registration and Funding

Reporter: What’s the process for officially registering, and how will you fund this initiative?

Clinton Evans: We’ll register as a nonprofit or union, likely an LLC or 501(c)(6) for a trade group, with legal advice. We’ll get a business license, open a bank account, and secure an EIN from the IRS for taxes. Funding will come from membership dues—starting at $50 a month—and we’re exploring sponsorships from film manufacturers like Union Window Films or tool suppliers to cover startup costs, which could range from $1,000 to $10,000.

Member Recruitment

Reporter: How do you plan to attract members to join?

Clinton Evans: I’ll use industry networks, social media, and events like Tinter Battles to recruit. We’ll highlight benefits like group insurance, supplier discounts, and training. A website with SEO for “window tinters union” and success stories about lowering film costs—around $2–$3 per foot—will help. Initial perks like free training or tool discounts from suppliers could also draw people in.

Value and Engagement

Reporter: What value will you offer members, and how will you engage with employers and suppliers?

Clinton Evans: We’ll offer training on advanced techniques and business skills, group health or liability insurance, advocacy for regulations, and networking at events like Tinter Battles. For engagement, we’ll negotiate with tint shop owners for better wages—most tinters earn $13–$21 an hour—and partner with suppliers for bulk discounts. We’re also eyeing dealership subcontracting opportunities.

Challenges and Growth

Reporter: What challenges do you anticipate, and how do you plan to grow the union?

Clinton Evans: The big challenge is that many tinters are contractors, making unionization tricky—we might lean toward a trade association. Varying state laws, like California’s 30% tint rule versus New Jersey’s ban, need education too. We’ll start with a pilot regional group, gather feedback, and expand into related fields like paint protection film to grow our base.

Closing Thoughts

Reporter: Any final thoughts or advice for those interested in supporting this effort?

Clinton Evans: This takes dedication and networking—engage with the tinting community early to build trust. I’m learning from trades like auto repair and using tools like Tint Wiz for efficiency. Stay updated on trends like ceramic films to keep us relevant. For more, check nlrb.gov for union info or tintwiz.com for industry insights. I’d love help with bylaws or marketing if anyone’s interested!

Reporter: Thank you, Clinton Evans, for sharing your vision. We’ll follow this story as it develops. Good night!